[GWSG] C sensitivity; curious Pruitt; big wind offshore; Germany ups target; EU too; 6 for 1 savings

[Tilley, Al]

1. A study of the equilibrium climate sensitivity to a doubling of carbon rules out the high and low extremes of previous estimates and predicts 2.2C to 3.4C (4F to 6.1F), with a most likely estimate of 2.8C (5F). https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-00480-0  (This article links to the abstract, which supplies more detail.) A lower carbon sensitivity will make it a bit easier, though still strenuous, to achieve our goal of 1.5C. The Guardian article on the finding can be read as confusing the climate sensitivity with the warming projection for 2100 but is otherwise useful.  https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/18/worst-case-global-warming-scenarios-not-credible-says-study



2. Scott Pruitt asked what the earth's ideal temperature might be. The answer, supplied by several climate scientists, certainly does not lie above current levels of heating, the direction he would take us. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/jan/17/scott-pruitt-insincerely-asked-whats-earths-ideal-temperature-scientists-answer



3. "According to the U.S. Department of Energy, more than 25 offshore wind projects with a generating capacity of 24 gigawatts are now being planned, mainly off the U.S. Northeast and mid-Atlantic coasts." https://climatecrocks.com/2018/01/18/in-the-us-offshore-wind-finally-breezing-up/



4. Germany has increased their target usage of renewable energy as of 2030 from 50% to 65%. http://reneweconomy.com.au/germany-lifts-2030-renewable-energy-target-65-12576/?utm_source=RE+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=c2e78dbc31-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_01_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_46a1943223-c2e78dbc31-40325881



5. The European Union Parliament has voted to increase its 2030 renewable energy target to 35%. https://cleantechnica.com/2018/01/19/european-union-votes-increase-2030-renewable-energy-goal-35/



6. A report from the National Institute of Building Sciences estimates that every dollar spent on disaster mitigation saves six dollars, half again as much as previous estimates. Most of the disasters are climate related, and the measures can be as simple as replacing flammable roofs and elevating buildings in flood-prone areas. https://www.citylab.com/environment/2018/01/disaster-resilience-saves-six-times-as-much-as-it-costs/550712/  ?

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